The Spirits of America

I posted this for Independence Day 2010 – I think it’s time to post it again. I wrote it for the Denton CUUPS “Lunar Eclipse Ritual for America” which we did as part of the Spells for Democracy project in 2004. With everything going on now I think our country can use all the help it can get.

Let us now invoke the Spirits of America, as we call upon those who have led and inspired us throughout history.

We call upon the spirit of Benjamin Franklin. You who said “Those who would sacrifice liberty for a measure of security deserve neither” – your country needs your wisdom. We see many eager to make this false bargain, and many ready to use that fear to obtain power. Bless our country, we ask you, and help us to know that security comes through justice. Join our circle tonight, we ask you, and add your power to ours. Blessed be.

We call upon the spirit of George Washington. You who said “I cannot tell a lie” – your country needs your integrity. We see opinions advanced as facts and facts suppressed as opinions. Bless our country, we ask you, and give our leaders, our journalists, and our citizens a passion for the truth. Join our circle tonight, we ask you, and add your power to ours. Blessed be.

We call upon the spirit of Abraham Lincoln. You who said “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves” – your country needs your courage. We see those who would restrict the liberty of others because of their differences. Bless our country, we ask you, and help us to live together as one nation, with liberty and justice for all. Join our circle tonight, we ask you, and add your power to ours. Blessed be.

We call upon the spirit of Susan B. Anthony. You who said “Failure is impossible” – your country needs your determination. Enjoying much ourselves, many of us have quit the struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. Bless our country, we ask you, and help us to remember that none of us is truly free until all of us are free. Join our circle tonight, we ask you, and add your power to ours. Blessed be.